MATCH REPORT | MK DONS 0 TOWN 1

Town made it a third successive win in pre-season and kept another clean sheet with victory at MK Dons.

Freddie Sears provided the winner just before the hour, scoring from the penalty spot after Grant Ward had been hauled down.

Jonas Knudsen made his first appearance of the summer campaign after returning from the World Cup with Denmark, while Ellis Harrison started up front following his arrival from Bristol Rovers on Monday.

It was Harrison who had the first chance, firing over after Ward had escaped down the right while at the other end Gwion Edwards had to be alert to stop Jordan Houghton getting in on goal.

Ward opened up the MK defence soon after with a slick pass, Sears’ cross just evading Harrison at the far post, then ‘keeper Lee Nicholls ended the danger after Jordan Spence had headed the ball back across goal.

Sears shot wide after Harrison lost his marker and set him up on the edge of the box, then good work by Knudsen opened up a shot at goal for Ward but he blasted wide.

The chances continued as Town pressed for an opener, Nicholls punching clear from Luke Woolfenden, then Cole Skuse had a shot smothered away on the edge of the box.

Dons had their own chance to break the deadlock as half-time approached, Alex Gilbey finding space inside the box but pulling his shot wide of the far post, while

Harrison - who was proving a threat for Town - headed over, then was denied by Jordan Moore-Taylor’s challenge.

Harrison again provided a danger for Blues as the second-half got underway, his shot beaten out by Nicholls, the ‘keeper then holding firm from Flynn Downes’ 20 yarder.

Dons responded with a header from George Williams deflected over, Bart Bialkowski forced into action seconds later to deny Moore-Taylor.

Town edged in front just before the hour, Ward brought down inside the box after a mix up in Dons’ box and Sears finished expertly from the spot.

Harrison made way for Jordan Roberts in Town’s second change, MK then having an excellent chance to level when Peter Pawlett went through on goal but Bialkowski was equal to the task.

Pawlett was left frustrated again by an excellent save from Town’s ‘keeper who got down low to his right to keep his goal intact before Sears made way for Jack Lankester for the closing stages as Blues completed the hat-trick of wins.

Paul Hurst’s side finish the pre-season schedule against West Ham at Portman Road on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.